Text data transmission-reception system, shared terminal, and method of processing information

ABSTRACT

A text data transmission-reception system includes a plurality of user terminals; a shared terminal; and an information processing apparatus connectable to each of the plurality of user terminals and the shared terminal via a network. The information processing apparatus includes circuitry configured to receive text data transmitted and received between the plurality of user terminals; determine whether or not the text data transmitted and received between the plurality of user terminals includes a request for controlling the shared terminal; and control the shared terminal based on a determination that the text data includes the request for controlling the shared terminal.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) toJapanese Patent Application Nos. 2020-064925, filed on Mar. 31, 2020,and 2021-003428, filed on Jan. 13, 2021 in the Japan Patent Office, thedisclosure of which are incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

This disclosure relates to a text data transmission-reception system, ashared terminal, and a method of processing information.

Background Art

Teleconference systems or remote conference systems, in whichinteractive whiteboards and computers are connected via a network, areknown. Conventional teleconference systems have a function of storing ormanaging audio data acquired during a conference, captured images ofelectronic information board, various types of data (e.g., text data ofchat) received from terminal devices, or the like as log data ofconference or meeting.

Further, tools such as collaboration tools for assisting or supportingcollaborative work performable by a group have been developed and used,in which the tools provide various functions, such as communicationfunction and information sharing function, to a plurality of users whowork as a group or team. For example, a plurality of users who work as agroup or team for a collaborative work or collaboration work can usecommunication function, such as chat function and voice communicationfunction, and information sharing function of the collaboration tool tohold an online meeting. When the online meeting using the communicationfunction is performed, a plurality of users who work together as a groupor a team can store or save various data, such as data transmitted andreceived using the chat function during the online meeting andaudio/video data recorded using the audio recording/video recordingfunction, as log data of conference or meeting.

However, when to display a particular file on a shared terminal (e.g.,electronic information board) participating a particular event (e.g.,online meeting) or when to share or capture a screen displayed on theshared terminal (e.g., electronic information board) participating theparticular event (e.g., online meeting), a user participating the event(e.g., online meeting) has to directly operate the shared terminal at aconference room where the shared terminal is disposed, which is notconvenient for the user.

SUMMARY

As one aspect of the present disclosure, a text datatransmission-reception system is devised. The text datatransmission-reception system includes a plurality of user terminals; ashared terminal; and an information processing apparatus connectable toeach of the plurality of user terminals and the shared terminal via anetwork. The information processing apparatus includes circuitryconfigured to receive text data transmitted and received between theplurality of user terminals; determine whether or not the text datatransmitted and received between the plurality of user terminalsincludes a request for controlling the shared terminal; and control theshared terminal based on a determination that the text data includes therequest for controlling the shared terminal.

As another aspect of the present disclosure, a shared terminalconnectable to a plurality of user terminals and an informationprocessing apparatus via a network is devised. The shared terminalincludes circuitry configured to receive text data transmitted andreceived between the plurality of user terminals; determine whether ornot the received text data includes a request for controlling the sharedterminal; and control the shared terminal based on a determination thatthe text data includes the request for controlling the shared terminal.

As another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of processinginformation performable by a user terminal connectable to a sharedterminal, an information processing apparatus, and another user terminalvia a network is devised. The method includes receiving an input of textdata to be transmitted to the another user terminal; determining whetheror not the received text data includes a request for controlling theshared terminal; and requesting, to the information processingapparatus, for controlling the shared terminal based on a determinationthat the text data includes the request for controlling the sharedterminal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete appreciation of the description and many of theattendant advantages and features thereof can be readily acquired andunderstood from the following detailed description with reference to theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an example of system configuration of an informationprocessing system according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is an example of hardware block diagram of an electronicinformation board according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is an example of hardware block diagram of a computer accordingto a first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is an example of software configuration of a shared terminal;

FIG. 5 is an example of software configuration of a user terminal.

FIG. 6 is an example of functional block diagram of an informationprocessing system according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 7 is an example of schematic diagram of a user authenticationmanagement table;

FIG. 8 is an example of schematic diagram of an access management table;

FIG. 9 is an example of schematic diagram of a schedule managementtable;

FIG. 10 is an example of schematic diagram of a conducted eventmanagement table;

FIG. 11 is an example of schematic diagram of a content managementtable;

FIG. 12 is an example of schematic diagram of a user authenticationmanagement table;

FIG. 13 is an example of schematic diagram of a user management table;

FIG. 14 is an example of schematic diagram of a resource managementtable;

FIG. 15 is an example of schematic diagram of a resource reservationmanagement table;

FIG. 16 is an example of schematic diagram of an event management table;

FIG. 17 is an example of schematic diagram of a server authenticationmanagement table;

FIG. 18 is an example of schematic diagram of a project membermanagement table; FIG. 19 is an example of schematic diagram of aconducted event record management table;

FIG. 20 is an example of schematic diagram of a conducted eventmanagement table;

FIG. 21 is an example of schematic diagram of a related informationmanagement table;

FIG. 22 is an example sequence diagram illustrating a process ofregistering a schedule;

FIG. 23 is an example of sign-in screen;

FIG. 24 is an example of initial screen of a user terminal;

FIG. 25 is an example of schedule screen;

FIG. 26 is an example of schedule input screen;

FIG. 27 is an example of a diagram indication candidates proposed on aschedule input screen;

FIG. 28 is an example of schedule input screen;

FIG. 29 is an example of schedule input screen;

FIGS. 30 and 31 are examples of sequence diagrams indicating a processof starting an event;

FIG. 32 is an example of resource reservation list screen;

FIG. 33 is an example of project list screen;

FIG. 34 is an example of event detailed information screen;

FIG. 35 is an example of correlation of message contents of chatfunction with operation contents (functions) of a shared terminal whichcan be controlled by the message contents;

FIG. 36 is an example of message content posted using a chat function;

FIG. 37 is an example of a display screen of attached file;

FIG. 38 is an example of message contents posted using a chat function.

FIG. 39 is an example of screen image of a shared terminal;

FIG. 40 is examples of a display screen of a shared terminal and acamera image;

FIG. 41 is an example of message content posted using a chat function;

FIGS. 42 and 43 are sequence diagrams illustrating a process when a userrequests a control of a shared terminal using a chat function;

FIG. 44 is an example of message contents posted using a chat function;

FIGS. 45 and 46 are sequence diagrams illustrating a process when a userrequests a control of a shared terminal using a chat function;

FIG. 47 is an example sequence diagram illustrating a process when auser requests a control of a shared terminal 42 using voice;

FIG. 48 is an example of screen image of a shared terminal; and

FIG. 49 is an example of message contents posted using a chat function.

The accompanying drawings are intended to depict embodiments of thisdisclosure and should not be interpreted to limit the scope thereof. Theaccompanying drawings are not to be considered as drawn to scale unlessexplicitly noted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A description is now given of exemplary embodiments of the presentinventions. It should be noted that although such terms as first,second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements,components, regions, layers and/or units, it should be understood thatsuch elements, components, regions, layers and/or units are not limitedthereby because such terms are relative, that is, used only todistinguish one element, component, region, layer or unit from anotherregion, layer or unit. Thus, for example, a first element, component,region, layer or unit discussed below could be termed a second element,component, region, layer or unit without departing from the teachings ofthe present inventions.

In addition, it should be noted that the terminology used herein is forthe purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is notintended to be limiting of the present inventions. Thus, for example, asused herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. Moreover, the terms “includes” and/or “including,” when usedin this specification, specify the presence of stated features,integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do notpreclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groupsthereof.

Hereinafter, a description is given of one or more embodiments withreference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited toembodiments described in this description. In this description, a groupor team of users gathering for performing a collaborative work orcollaboration work is referred to as a project, and each user belongingto the project is referred to as a member of project or project member.Further, in this description, “file” may indicate “electronic file”.

First Embodiment System Configuration

FIG. 1 is an example of system configuration of an informationprocessing system 1 according to a first embodiment. As illustrated inFIG. 1, the information processing system 1 includes, for example, acollaboration system 10, an online storage server 20, one or more userterminals 40, and a shared terminal 42 communicably connected to eachother via a communication network 50.

The communication network 50 is constructed, for example, by theInternet, a mobile communication network, local area network (LAN) orthe like. The communication network 50 may include not only wiredcommunication but also a wireless communication network such as 3rdGeneration (3G), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX)or Long Term Evolution (LTE).

The collaboration system 10 is a system that assists or supports aplurality of persons or users to perform one work together. For example,the collaboration system is a system that is used to perform voice call,video call, chat, screen sharing (projection), information sharing,review of agenda, preparation and compilation of reference materials,schedule setting, determination of action item, or the like, usingpersonal computer (PC), portable terminal, electronic information board(e.g., electronic whiteboard), projector, conference tool, or the like,in a place where persons gather to discuss and share opinions,consultation, or the like for a specific purpose (including a case wherepersons gather at the same physical place, and a case where persons arephysically separated but user terminals are connected to each other viaa network).

The collaboration system 10 has the same meaning as the collaborationwork assistance or supporting system. The collaboration work assistanceor supporting system is a system that assists or supports a plurality ofpersons to perform one work together. For example, the collaborationwork assistance or supporting system provides a communication function,an information sharing function, or the like. The collaboration system10 provides various collaboration tools to assist or support acollaboration work or collaboration work performable by project members.Each collaboration tool is a unit, function, or tool to be used forassisting or supporting a plurality of persons who work together toaccomplish one work or job. The collaboration tool include variousfunctions, such as communication function, scheduling function (schedulemanagement), information sharing function, and action item managementfunction. The collaborative work or collaboration work means that aplurality of persons perform one work together.

Further, the collaboration tools provided by a plurality ofcollaboration systems 10 may not be the same functions. Therefore, in anexample case of FIG. 1, the server configuration of the twocollaboration systems 10 are different. A sharing assistant server 11(or sharing support server 11) included in the collaboration system 10provides various functions, such as communication function, andinformation sharing function, to each project member.

A schedule management server 12 included in the collaboration system 10provides a schedule management function to each project member.

A voice-to-text conversion server 13 included in the collaborationsystem 10 converts voice data of each project member into text data.

A file management server 14 included in the collaboration system 10saves one or more files uploaded by each project member during an onlinemeeting or the like.

By using the file management server 14, each project member can sharethe one or more files.

Further, the online storage server 20 provides an online storage serviceto each user. The online storage service is a service for allowing auser to rent a disk drive (storage area) on the cloud, which can beused, for example, via the Internet. By using the online storageservice, each project member can share the one or more files.

The user terminal 40, which is an example of information processingterminal, is operated by a user, such as project member. The user canuse the collaboration system 10, the online storage server 20, and theshared terminal 42 from the user terminal 40.

The user terminal 40 may be, an apparatus having a communicationfunction, such as projector (PJ), interactive whiteboard (IWB) havingelectronic board function that can communicate with each other, outputdevice such as a digital signage, head up display (HUD) device,industrial machine, imaging device, sound collecting device, medicaldevice, network appliance, connected car, personal computer, portabletelephone, smart phone, tablet terminal, game machine, personal digitalassistant (PDA), digital camera, wearable PC, and desktop PC.

The shared terminal 42 is an information processing terminal, which isshared by a plurality of persons, such as an electronic informationboard installed in a conference room or the like. The shared terminal 42may be, an apparatus having a communication function, such as projector(PJ), interactive whiteboard (IWB) having electronic board function thatcan communicate with each other, output device such as a digitalsignage, head up display (HUD) device, industrial machine, imagingdevice, sound collecting device, medical device, network appliance,connected car, personal computer, portable telephone, smart phone,tablet terminal, game machine, personal digital assistant (PDA), digitalcamera, wearable PC, and desktop PC. For example, the shared terminal 42installed in a conference room or the like can be shared by a pluralityof persons by requesting a reservation of each terminal and conferenceroom for use.

Further, the sharing assistant server 11, the schedule management server12, the voice-to-text conversion server 13, and the file managementserver 14 can be implemented by, for example, one or more informationprocessing apparatuses. Further, the collaboration system 10 may be oneor more computers, in which a part or all of the functions of thesharing assistant server 11, the schedule management server 12, thevoice-to-text conversion server 13, and the file management server 14are integrated.

Further, one or more functions of the sharing assistant server 11, theschedule management server 12, the voice-to-text conversion server 13,and the file management server 14 can be distributed over a plurality ofcomputers.

Further, the sharing assistant server 11, the schedule management server12, the voice-to-text conversion server 13, and the file managementserver 14 may be implemented by computers in a cloud environment orcomputers in an on-premise environment. As described above, theinformation processing system 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 is just oneexample.

Further, the collaboration system 10, the sharing assistant server 11,the schedule management server 12, the voice-to-text conversion server13, the file management server 14, and the online storage server 20 arenot limited to PCs as long as these apparatuses have the communicationfunction.

Further, each of the collaboration system 10, the sharing assistantserver 11, the schedule management server 12, the voice-to-textconversion server 13, the file management server 14, and the onlinestorage server 20 may be, for example, projector (PJ), interactivewhiteboard (IWB), output device such as a digital signage, head updisplay (HUD) device, industrial machine, imaging device, soundcollecting device, medical device, network appliance, connected car,personal computer, portable telephone, smart phone, tablet terminal,game machine, personal digital assistant (PDA), digital camera, wearablePC, and desktop PC.

Further, the collaboration information provided by the collaborationsystem 10 to each project member by the collaboration tool includes, forexample, synchronous collaboration information and asynchronouscollaboration information.

The synchronous collaboration information is information that isexchanged in real time in a place (e.g., meeting), in which personsgather to discuss and share opinions or consult for a specific purpose.The synchronous collaboration information is, for example, voice call,video call, screen shared by PC/portable terminal/electronic informationboard (e.g., electronic whiteboard), or the like (including text anddiagrams input from PC, portable terminal, or the like, and handwritteninput contents to a screen of electronic information board).

Further, the asynchronous collaboration information is information thatis input or shared on the network. The asynchronous collaborationinformation includes, for example, information that can be shared andreferenced by participants before and after an event (e.g., meeting)where persons gather to discuss and share opinions or consult for aspecific purpose. The asynchronous collaboration information includes,for example, chat, message, content, scheduling, action item, content ofaudio recording/video recording, or the like.

These terms are included in Conference Solutions Report, “Magic Quadrantfor Meeting Solution”, published in September 2019, by Gartner, Inc.

Hardware Configuration

If the shared terminal 42 illustrated in FIG. 1 is an electronicinformation board, the shared terminal 42 can employ a hardwareconfiguration illustrated in FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is an example of hardwareblock diagram of the shared terminal 42 according to the embodiment. Asillustrated in FIG. 2, the shared terminal 42 includes, a centralprocessing unit (CPU) 201, a read only memory (ROM) 202, a random accessmemory (RAM) 203, a solid state drive (SSD) 204, a network interface(I/F) 205, and an external device connection I/F 206.

The CPU 201 controls the operation of the shared terminal 42, such asthe electronic information board entirely. The ROM 202 stores programsused for driving the CPU 201, such as an initial program loader (IPL).The RAM 203 is used as a work area of the CPU 201. The SSD 204 storesvarious data, such as programs for the electronic information board.

The network I/F 205 controls communication with the communicationnetwork 50. The external device connection I/F 206 controlscommunication with a universal serial bus (USB) memory 2600, a personalcomputer (PC) 2700, and external devices, such as microphone 2200,speaker 2300, and camera 2400.

The shared terminal 42 further includes, for example, a capturing device211, a graphics processing unit (GPU) 212, a display controller 213, acontact sensor 214, a sensor controller 215, an electronic pencontroller 216, a short-range communication circuit 219, an antenna 219a of the short-range communication circuit 219, and a power switch 222.

The capturing device 211 acquires image data displayed on the display220, which is an example of a display unit (display device), via thedisplay controller 213, and stores the image data in the RAM 203 or thelike.

The GPU 212 is a semiconductor chip dedicated for processing graphics.

The display controller 213 controls and manages a screen display inorder to output an image output from the capturing device 211 or the GPU212 to the display 220 or the like.

The contact sensor 214 detects that the electronic pen 2500, the userhand H, or the like has contacted the display 220. The sensor controller215 controls processing of the contact sensor 214. The contact sensor214 performs an input of coordinates and detection of coordinates usingthe infrared ray blocking method. As to the method of inputtingcoordinates and detecting coordinates, two light emission-receptiondevices disposed at the upper end corners of the display 220 radiateinfrared rays parallel to the display 220, and the infrared rays arereflected by reflective members disposed around the display 220, andthen the two light emission-reception receive the light beams comingfrom the optical path, which is the optical path of the light emitted bythe two light emission-reception device.

The contact sensor 214 outputs identification (ID) of the infrared rayemitted by the two light emission-reception devices and blocked by anobject to the sensor controller 215. The sensor controller 215 specifiesor identifies a coordinate position where the object contacts on thedisplay 220. By communicating with the electronic pen 2500, theelectronic pen controller 216 determines whether or not a pen tip or penend touches the display 220. In this description, some devices andcontrollers can be configured using one or more circuits.

The short-range communication circuit 219 is a communication circuit,such as near field communication (NFC) and Bluetooth (registeredtrademark). The power switch 222 is a switch for switching ON-OFF ofpower supply to the electronic information board.

The shared terminal 42 further includes, for example, a bus line 210.The bus line 210 is an address bus and a data bus for electricallyconnecting each of the components, such as the CPU 201 illustrated inFIG. 2.

Further, the contact sensor 214 can use not only the infrared blockingsystem, but also various detection means, such as a touch panel ofelectrostatic capacitance type that identifies a contact position bydetecting a change in capacitance, a touch panel of resistance film typethat identifies a contact position based on a voltage change of tworesistive films, and a touch panel of electromagnetic induction typethat detects a contact position by detecting the electromagneticinduction caused by a contact of an object on the touch panel.

Further, the electronic pen controller 216 can determine whether a usergrip portion of the electronic pen 2500 or other portion of theelectronic pen 2500 touches the display 220 in addition to the pen tipand pen end of the electronic pen 2500.

The collaboration system 10, the sharing assistant server 11, theschedule management server 12, the voice-to-text conversion server 13,the file management server 14, and the online storage server 20illustrated in FIG. 1 are implemented by, for example, a computer 500having a hardware configuration illustrated in FIG. 3. Further, if theuser terminal 40 illustrated in FIG. 1 is a PC, the user terminal 40 isimplemented, for example, by the computer 500 having a hardwareconfiguration illustrated in FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is an example of hardwareblock diagram of the computer 500 according to the embodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the computer 500 includes, for example, acentral processing unit (CPU) 501, a read only memory (ROM) 502, arandom access memory (RAM) 503, a hard disk (BD) 504, a hard disk drive(HDD) controller 505, a display 506, an external device connectioninterface (I/F) 508, a network I/F 509, a data bus 510, a keyboard 511,a pointing device 512, a digital versatile disk rewritable (DVD-RW)drive 514, and a media I/F 516.

The CPU 501 controls the operation of the computer 500 entirely inaccordance with one or more programs. The ROM 502 stores programs fordriving the CPU 501, such as initial program loader (IPL). The RAM 503is used as a work area of the CPU 501.

The HD 504 stores various data, such as programs. The HDD controller 505controls reading or writing of various data from or to the HD 504 underthe control of the CPU 501.

The display 506 displays various information, such as cursor, menu,window, character, text, or image.

The external device connection I/F 508 is an interface for connectingvarious external devices. In this case, the external device is, forexample, a universal serial bus (USB) memory or a printer. The networkI/F 509 is an interface for performing data communication using thecommunication network 50. The bus line 510 is an address bus and a databus for electrically connecting each component, such as the CPU 501illustrated in FIG. 3.

The keyboard 511 is a type of input unit including a plurality of keysfor inputting characters, letters, numbers, and various instructions.

The pointing device 512 is a type of input unit for selecting orexecuting various instructions, selecting processing target, moving acursor, or the like.

The DVD-RW drive 514 controls reading or writing of various data from orto the DVD-RW 513, which is as an example of removable recording medium.Further, the removable recording medium may be digital versatile diskrecordable (DVD-R) in addition to DVD-RW. The media I/F 516 controlsreading or writing (storing) of data from or to a recording medium 515,such as flash memory.

Further, each of the above described programs may be recorded on acomputer-readable recording medium in an installable form or anexecutable form and distributed. Examples of the recording mediuminclude compact disc recordable (CD-R), digital versatile disk (DVD),Blu-Ray (registered trademark) disc, and secure digital (SD) card.Further, the recording medium can be provided to a country or a foreigncountry as a program product.

Software Configuration

Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 4, a description is given ofcomputer software installed on the shared terminal 42. The computersoftware (hereinafter referred to as “software”) is a program related toan operation of computer and other information used for processing bythe computer, which is equivalent to the program. The program is aninstruction to the computer, which is a combination of instructions toobtain one result.

Further, the term of “program-equivalent” is not a program because the“program-equivalent” is not a direct command to the computer. The termof “program-equivalent” is similar to the program because the“program-equivalent” specifies the computer processing. For example, adata structure (a logical structure of data represented by a mutualrelationship between data elements) is equivalent to the program.

Further, an application is a generic name of software used forperforming a specific process in the software classification. On theother hand, an operating system (hereinafter referred to as OS) is asoftware for controlling a computer and making computer resourcesavailable to applications or the like. The OS performs basic managementand control of computer such as input/output control, management ofhardware such as memory and hard disk, and process management. Theapplications operate using the functions provided by the OS.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a software configuration of the sharedterminal 42. As illustrated in FIG. 4, OS 101, Launcher 102, scheduleviewer 103 a, file viewer 103 b, browser application 103 c, andcollaboration application 103 d operate on a work area 15 of the RAM203.

The OS 101 is basic software that provides basic functions of the sharedterminal 42, and manages or controls the shared terminal 42 entirely.

The Launcher 102 is a launcher application that operates on the OS 101.The Launcher 102 manages or controls, for example, a start and end ofevent executed or conducted by the electronic information board, andexternal applications, such as the schedule viewer 103 a, the fileviewer 103 b, the browser application 103 c, and the collaborationapplication 103 d being used during the execution of the event.

The event is a place where persons gather directly or via thecommunication network 50 and provides opinions, presentations,consultations, or the like for a specific purpose, such as conference,meeting, public gathering, private gathering, consultation, in-personmeeting, larger conference, seminar, webinar (online seminar), academicworkshop, policy presentation, or the like.

The schedule viewer 103 a, the file viewer 103 b, the browserapplication 103 c, and the collaboration application 103 d are externalapplications running or operating on the Launcher 102 (hereinafter,referred to as external application 103 when there is no need todistinguish these applications from each other). The externalapplication 103 executes processing independently of the Launcher 102,and executes services or functions provided on the OS 101.

Although FIG. 4 indicates an example, in which four externalapplications 103, such as the schedule viewer 103 a, the file viewer 103b, the browser application 103 c, and the collaboration application 103d are installed on the electronic information board, the number ofexternal applications 103 is not limited to four. Further, the scheduleviewer 103 a, the file viewer 103 b, the browser application 103 c, andthe collaboration application 103 d may be downloaded and installedfrom, for example, a server provided in the collaboration system 10 orthe like, or a server provided in the cloud or on-premises.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 5, a description is given ofsoftware installed on the user terminal 40. FIG. 5 is a diagramillustrating a software configuration of the user terminal 40. Asillustrated in FIG. 5, OS 5501, collaboration application 5502 a, andbrowser 5502 b operate on a work area 5500 of the RAM 503. The OS 5501is basic software that provides basic functions of user terminal 40, andmanages or controls the user terminal 40 entirely.

The collaboration application 5502 a and the browser 5502 b are externalapplications running or operating on the OS 5501 (hereinafter referredto as external application 5502 when there is no need to distinguishthese applications from each other). The external application 5502executes services or functions provided on the OS 5501. Although FIG. 5indicates an example in which two external applications 5502, such asthe collaboration application 5502 a and the browser 5502 b, areinstalled on the user terminal 40, but the number of applications is notlimited thereto. The number of external applications 5502 installed onthe user terminal 40 may be other than two. Further, the collaborationapplication 5502 a and the browser 5502 b may be downloaded andinstalled from, for example, a server provided in the collaborationsystem 10 or the like, or a server provided in the cloud or on-premises.

Functional Configuration

The information processing system 1 according to the embodiment isimplemented, for example, by a functional configuration as illustratedin FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is an example of functional block diagram of theinformation processing system 1 according to the embodiment. FIG. 6appropriately omits some functional unit not necessary for thedescription of the first embodiment.

Functional Configuration of Shared Terminal

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the shared terminal 42 used as the electronicinformation board includes, for example, a transmission/reception unit21, a reception unit 22, an image/audio processing unit 23, a displaycontrol unit 24, a determination unit 25, a recognition unit 26, anacquisition/providing unit 28, a storing/reading processing unit 29, afunction control unit 31, and a storage request unit 32. Each of thefunctional units of the electronic information board is a function ormeans implemented by any one of the components illustrated in FIG. 2under the instructions from the CPU 201 executing programs loaded on theRAM 203 from the SSD 204. Further, the shared terminal 42 includes astorage unit 2000, implemented by the RAM 203, the SSD 204, or the USBmemory 2600 illustrated in FIG. 2.

Functional Configuration of Shared Terminal

Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 6, a description is given of eachfunctional unit of the shared terminal 42.

The transmission/reception unit 21, which is implemented by theinstructions from the CPU 201 and the network I/F 205 and the externaldevice connection I/F 206 illustrated in FIG. 2, transmits and receivesvarious data or information to and from other terminal, apparatus orsystem via the communication network 50. The transmission/reception unit21 is an example of transmission unit and reception unit.

The reception unit 22, which is implemented mainly by the instructionsfrom the CPU 201 and the contact sensor 214 and the electronic pencontroller 216 illustrated in FIG. 2, receives various inputs from auser. The reception unit 22 is an example of reception unit.

The image/audio processing unit 23, which is implemented by theinstructions from the CPU 201 and the capturing device 211 illustratedin FIG. 2, stores image data displayed on the display 220. Further, theimage/audio processing unit 23, which is implemented by the instructionsfrom the CPU 201 and the GPU 212 illustrated in FIG. 2, performs imageprocessing for displaying an image on the display 220. Further, theimage/audio processing unit 23 performs image processing on image dataobtained by the camera 2400 that captures an image of an object.

Further, after the microphone 2200 converts voice of a user into audiosignal, the image/audio processing unit 23 performs audio processing onaudio data related to the audio signal. Further, the image/audioprocessing unit 23 outputs an audio signal related to the audio data tothe speaker 2300, and instructs the speaker 2300 to output voice.Further, the image/audio processing unit 23 performs processing forconverting drawn image data, obtained by drawing an image on the display220 with the electronic pen 2500 or the hand H by a user, intocoordinate data.

The display control unit 24, which is implemented by the instructionsfrom the CPU 201 and the display controller 213 illustrated in FIG. 2,displays a drawn image on the display 220, and accesses the sharingassistant server 11 and the schedule management server 12 using a webbrowser to display various screen data. Specifically, the displaycontrol unit 24 activates and executes the Launcher 102 running oroperating on the OS 101 (see FIG. 4) and the external application 103 toinstruct the display 220 to display various screens drawn by anapplication programming interface (API) provided by the OS 101. Thedisplay control unit 24 is an example of display control unit.

The determination unit 25, which is implemented by the instructions fromthe CPU 201 illustrated in FIG. 2, performs various determinations. Forexample, the determination unit 25 determines whether a user who hastransmitted a message using the chat function participates the sameonline meeting using the shared terminal 42.

The recognition unit 26, which is implemented by the instructions fromthe CPU 201 illustrated in FIG. 2, recognizes a designated area, whichis a surrounded area, on the display 220.

The acquisition/providing unit 28, which is implemented by theinstructions from the CPU 201 and the short-range communication circuit219 and the antenna 219 a illustrated in FIG. 2, acquires and providesdata with a terminal, such as integrated circuit (IC) card orsmartphone, using short-range communication.

The function control unit 31 receives a control request from a userbased on an operation of user, and controls the function based on thecontrol request. Further, the function control unit 31 receives acontrol request from a user based on a message using the chat function,to be described later, and controls the function based on the controlrequest. For example, when a request for screen capture is received froma user participating the same online meeting, the function control unit31 controls the capture function to capture a display screen. Further,for example, when a message attached with a file is received from a userwho is participating the same online meeting, the function control unit31 displays the attached file.

After ending the online meeting, the storage request unit 32 requeststhe sharing assistant server 11 to store the shared data that was usedduring the online meeting. The shared data indicates various informationthat was used during an event (e.g., online meeting), and includes, forexample, files, image data of shared screen, recorded video data,recorded audio data, stroke data, pointer data, chat data, or the like.

Further, during a period of holding or performing an online meeting(e.g., from a start to end of the meeting, when a meeting is beingperformed), the storage request unit 32 can be configured to request thesharing assistant server 11 to store the shared data being used in theonline meeting. If the number or capacity of shared data is greater orlarger, by starting a saving or storing the shared data from a giventime during the online meeting, the shared data can be completely storedor saved when the online meeting ends or immediately after ending theonline meeting.

The storing/reading processing unit 29, which is implemented by theinstructions from the CPU 201 and the SSD 204 illustrated in FIG. 2,stores various data in the storage unit 2000 and reads various datastored in the storage unit 2000.

Further, when image data and/or audio data are received from anothershared terminal 42, the user terminal 40 or the like usingcommunication, the image data and/or audio data are overwritten andstored in the storage unit 2000 every time image data and audio data arereceived. Among the received image data and audio data, image databefore being overwritten is displayed as an image on the display 220,and audio data before being overwritten is output from the speaker 2300as voice.

Functional Configuration of User Terminal

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the user terminal 40 includes, for example, atransmission/reception unit 51, a reception unit 52, a display controlunit 54, a request unit 55, a generation unit 56, an audio control unit58, and a storing/reading processing unit 59. Each of the functionalunits of the user terminal 40 is a function or means implemented by anyone of the components illustrated in FIG. 3 under the instructions fromthe CPU 501 executing programs loaded on the RAM 503 from the HD 504.Further, the user terminal 40 includes a storage unit 5000, implementedby the HD 504 illustrated in FIG. 3.

Functional Configuration of User Terminal

Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 6, a description is given of eachfunctional unit of the user terminal 40.

The transmission/reception unit 51, which is implemented by theinstructions from the CPU 501 and the network I/F 509 illustrated inFIG. 3, transmits and receives various data or information to and fromother terminal, apparatus, or system via the communication network 50.The transmission/reception unit 51 is an example of transmission unitand reception unit.

The reception unit 52, which is implemented mainly by the instructionsfrom the CPU 501 and the keyboard 511 and the pointing device 512illustrated in FIG. 3, receives various input from a user. The receptionunit 52 is an example of reception unit.

The display control unit 54, which is implemented by the instructionsfrom the CPU 501 illustrated in FIG. 3, displays an image on the display506, and accesses the sharing assistant server 11 or the schedulemanagement server 12 using the browser 5502 b to display images ofvarious screen data. Specifically, the display control unit 54 accessesthe sharing assistant server 11 or the schedule management server 12,for example, by activating and executing the collaboration application5502 a or the browser 5502 b running or operating on the OS 5501illustrated in FIG. 5.

Then, the display control unit 54 downloads WebApplication (WebAPP)including at least HyperText Markup Language (HTML), and Cascading StyleSheets (CSS), JAVASCRIPT (registered trademark), or the like, andinstructs the display 506 to display various image data generated by theWebAPP. For example, the display control unit 54 instructs the display506 to display image data generated by “HTML5” including data expressedusing a given format, such as Extensible Markup Language (XML),JavaScript Object Notation (JSON), or Simple Object Access Protocol(SOAP) format. The display control unit 54 is an example of displaycontrol unit.

The generation unit 56, which is implemented by an instruction from theCPU 501 illustrated in FIG. 3, has a function of generating image dataof various screens to be displayed on the display 506. The generationunit 56 generates the image data of various screens using the contentdata received by the transmission/reception unit 51. For example, thegeneration unit 56 renders text data, which is content data, andgenerates image data related to the text data, which is content data, todisplay the rendered data. The rendering is a process of interpretingdata written in a web page description language (e.g., HTML, CSS, XML),and calculating an arrangement of characters, image data, or the likeactually displayed on a screen.

The audio control unit 58 which is implemented by the instructions fromthe CPU 501 illustrated in FIG. 3, has a function of outputting soundsignal from a speaker. The audio control unit 58 sets sound data to beoutput from the speaker, and reproduces the sound data by outputtingsound signals related to the set sound data from the speaker.

The storing/reading processing unit 59, which is implemented by theinstructions from the CPU 501 and the HDD controller 505 illustrated inFIG. 3, stores various data in the storage unit 5000 and reads variousdata from the storage unit 5000.

Functional Configuration of Sharing Assistant Server

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the sharing assistant server 11 includes, forexample, a transmission/reception unit 61, an authentication unit 62, acreation unit 63, a generation unit 64, a determination unit 65, adistribution unit 66, a storage control unit 67, and a storing/readingprocessing unit 69. Each of the functional units of the sharingassistant server 11 is a function or means implemented by any one of thecomponents illustrated in FIG. 3 under the instructions from the CPU 501executing programs loaded on the RAM 503 from the HD 504. Further, thesharing assistant server 11 includes a storage unit 6000, implemented bythe HD 504 illustrated in FIG. 3.

User Authentication Management Table

FIG. 7 is an example of schematic diagram of a user authenticationmanagement table. The storage unit 6000 includes a user authenticationmanagement database (DB) 6001 configured by the user authenticationmanagement table illustrated in FIG. 7. The user authenticationmanagement table stores or manages user ID identifying each user, username, organization ID identifying each organization to which each userbelongs, and password in association with each other. Further, theorganization ID includes a domain name representing a group ororganization managing a plurality of computers connected on thecommunication network 50.

Access Management Table

FIG. 8 is an example of schematic diagram of an access management table.The storage unit 6000 includes an access management DB 6002 configuredby the access management table illustrated in FIG. 8. The accessmanagement table stores or manages organization ID, access ID, andaccess password required for authentication when accessing the schedulemanagement server 12 in association with each other. The access ID andaccess password are required for the sharing assistant server 11 to usea service or function provided by the schedule management server 12 viaa web application programming interface (WebAPI) or the like using agiven protocol, such as Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) or HypertextTransfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS).

The schedule management server 12 stores and manages a plurality ofschedulers. Since different organizations may use different schedulers,the management using the access management table illustrated in FIG. 8is required.

Schedule Management Table

FIG. 9 is an example of schematic diagram of a schedule managementtable. The storage unit 6000 includes a schedule management DB 6003configured by the schedule management table illustrated in FIG. 9. Theschedule management table stores or manages organization ID, user ID ofreservation holder, participation or absence of reservation holder,reservation holder name (user name), scheduled start time, scheduled endtime, event name, user ID of other participant, participation or absenceof other participant, other participant name (user name), and file datain association with each other for each scheduled event ID and conductedevent ID.

The scheduled event ID is identification information identifying eachscheduled or reserved event. The scheduled event ID is an example ofscheduled event identification information identifying each event to beconducted.

The conducted event ID is identification information identifying eachevent that was actually conducted or each event that is being conductedamong the scheduled or reserved events.

The conducted event ID is an example of conducted event identificationinformation identifying each conducted event or each being-conductedevent.

The reservation holder name is a name of a person who has reserved ashared resource, such as a conference room. The shared resource is anobject, service, space (room), place, or information that can be used bya plurality of persons or a group. The conference room is an example ofshared resource that is shared by a plurality of users. If the sharedresource is a conference room, the reservation holder name is, forexample, a name of organizer or host.

The scheduled start time indicates a scheduled use start time of sharedresource. The scheduled end time indicates a scheduled use end time ofshared resource. The event name indicates a name of each event scheduledto be conducted by the reservation holder.

Hereinafter, the “shared resource” may be simply referred to as the“resource” to simplify the expression in this description.

The user ID of other participant is identification informationidentifying each participant other than the reservation holder.

The other participant name is a name of each participant other than thereservation holder. That is, in this example case, the user can includethe shared terminal 42, which is an example of resource, in addition tothe reservation holder and other participant.

The file data is file data of reference file to be used in each eventcorresponding to the scheduled event ID registered by a user. The filedata is data that is created using various applications and a given fileformat. The file format of file data is, for example, a file forpresentation software, a file for spread sheet software, or the like.

Conducted Event Management Table

FIG. 10 is an example of schematic diagram of a conducted eventmanagement table. The storage unit 6000 includes a conducted eventmanagement DB 6004 configured by the conducted event management tableillustrated in FIG. 10. The conducted event management table stores ormanages conducted event ID in association with each project ID.

The project ID is identification information identifying each project(e.g., project identification information). The project represents agroup, team, or grouping of users configured to achieve a particulargoal, plan, project, or the like.

Each user who is a member belonging to the same project can share theshared data such as the minutes of event associated with the project IDas the conducted event record. The shared data indicates variousinformation that was used during an event (e.g., online meeting), andincludes, for example, files, image data of shared screen, recordedvideo data, recorded audio data, stroke data, pointer data, chat data,or the like.

The project ID is allocated to each project. Further, the project ID maybe also referred to as group ID or team ID.

Content Management Table

FIG. 11 is an example of schematic diagram of a content managementtable. The storage unit 6000 includes a content management DB 6005configured by the content management table illustrated in FIG. 11. Thecontent management table stores or manages content processing ID, typeof content processing (content processing type), material of content(content data), and start date/time and end date/time of contentprocessing in association with each other for each conducted event ID.In this description, the date may mean day (e.g., day of month, day ofweek) and time (e.g., 10 AM, 10:00-10:30 AM).

The content is shared data that was generated during an event (e.g.,online meeting) in a particular project (e.g., content of conductedevent, or reference materials used in conducted event). The type ofcontent processing includes, for example, audio-recording,video-recording, file sharing, screen sharing, snapshot, voice-to-textconversion, generation of action item, chatting, uploading referencematerials, handwriting operation or manipulation, pointing deviceoperation or manipulation.

Further, the content processing ID is identification informationidentifying each content processing that was generated in each event.

The snapshot is a process of acquiring a display screen at a certaintime point in an event being conducted, as image data. The snapshot isalso referred to, for example, capture or image recognition.

If the content processing type is “audio recording”, the material ofcontent (content data) includes, for example, universal resource locator(URL) indicating a storage destination of the recorded audio data.

Further, if the content processing type is “snapshot”, the material ofcontent (content data) includes, for example, URL indicating a storagedestination of image data of a screen acquired by the snapshot(capture). The capture means saving of image (e.g., still image, movieimage) displayed on the display 506 as image data.

If the content processing type is “voice-to-text conversion”, thematerial of content (content data) includes, for example, URL indicatinga storage destination of text data of the received voice data. The textdata is text information exchanged between users participating an event.For example, the text information includes text input by each user whoparticipates an event, data obtained by converting voice-input contentinto text, character data included in a file exchanged by each user inan event, mention included in text manually input by each user orcomment input by voice of each user, or the like.

If the content processing type is “chat”, the material of content(content data) includes, for example, user ID of participant who hasposted a message, user ID of other party (mention) if other party(mention) is designated, and message content. The message is informationexchanged between users who have participated an event.

For example, the message includes text input by each user, comment inputby voice of each user, data obtained by converting an input by voiceinto text, file exchanged by users during an event, mention included intext manually input by each user or comment input by voice, or the like.The message having a designated mention is a message to be notified to aplurality of participants, and designating one or more persons to whom amessage sender requests to read the message, among the plurality ofparticipants. Further, the message content includes, for example, notonly text data of posted message but also files of posted image data andlog data of meeting.

The action item indicates a content of action, which occurs in eachevent (e.g., meeting) in each project and is required to be performed orexecuted by one or more persons related to each event. If the contentprocessing type is “action item generation”, the material of content(content data) includes, for example, user ID of execution person ofaction item, due date for completing action item, and URL indicating astorage destination of text data indicating the content of action item.

If the content processing type is “video-recording”, the material ofcontent (content data) includes, for example, URL indicating a storagedestination of the recorded video data.

If the content processing type is “file sharing”, the material ofcontent (content data) includes, for example, URL indicating a storagedestination of file data that was shared by each participant of an event(e.g., online meeting).

If the content processing type is “screen sharing”, the material ofcontent (content data) includes, for example, URL indicating a storagedestination of image data or recorded video data of a screen that wasshared by each participant of an event (e.g., online meeting).

Functional Configuration of Sharing Assistant Server

Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 6, a description is given of eachfunctional unit of the sharing assistant server 11. In the followingdescription, each functional unit of the sharing assistant server 11,among the components illustrated in FIG. 3, the relationship with themain components for implementing each functional unit of the sharingassistant server 11 is to be also described.

The transmission/reception unit 61 of the sharing assistant server 11illustrated in FIG. 6 is implemented by the instructions from the CPU501 illustrated in FIG. 3 and the network I/F 509 illustrated in FIG. 3.The transmission/reception unit 61 transmits and receives various dataor information to and from the user terminal 40, the shared terminal 42,other server, other system, or the like via the communication network50. The transmission/reception unit 61 is an example of transmissionunit or reception unit.

The authentication unit 62, which is implemented by the instructionsfrom the CPU 501 illustrated in FIG. 3, performs authentication bydetermining whether information (e.g., user ID, organization ID, andpassword) transmitted from the user terminal 40 or the shared terminal42 matches information registered in the user authentication managementDB 6001 in advance.

The creation unit 63, which is implemented by the instructions from theCPU 501 illustrated in FIG. 3, creates, for example, image data ofvarious screens in addition to image data of reservation list screenbased on reservation information and schedule information transmittedfrom the schedule management server 12.

The generation unit 64, which is implemented by the instructions fromthe CPU 501 illustrated in FIG. 3, generates conducted event ID, contentprocessing ID, and URL of storage destination.

The determination unit 65, which is implemented by the instructions fromthe CPU 501 illustrated in FIG. 3, performs various determinations. Thevarious determinations will be described later.

The distribution unit 66, which is implemented by the instructions fromthe CPU 501 illustrated in FIG. 3, provides a chat function to eachparticipant of an online meeting or the like.

The control request unit 67, which is implemented by the instructionsfrom the CPU 501 illustrated in FIG. 3, requests a control request tothe shared terminal 42 based on an operation content requested by a chatmessage, to be described later.

The storing/reading processing unit 69, which is implemented by theinstructions from the CPU 501 illustrated in FIG. 3 and the HDDcontroller 505 illustrated in FIG. 3, stores various data in the storageunit 6000 and reads out various data stored in the storage unit 6000.

Functional Configuration of Schedule Management Server

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the schedule management server 12 includes,for example, a transmission/reception unit 81, an authentication unit82, a generation unit 83, a management unit 84, and a storing/readingprocessing unit 89. Each of the functional units of the schedulemanagement server 12 is a function or means implemented by any one ofthe components illustrated in FIG. 3 under the instructions from the CPU501 executing programs loaded on the RAM 503 from the HD 504. Further,the schedule management server 12 includes a storage unit 8000,implemented by the HD 504 illustrated in FIG. 3.

User Authentication Management Table

FIG. 12 is an example of schematic diagram of a user authenticationmanagement table. The storage unit 8000 includes a user authenticationmanagement DB 8001 configured by the user authentication managementtable illustrated in FIG. 12. The user authentication management tablestores or manages organization ID identifying each organization to whicheach user belongs, and password in association with each other for userID identifying each user.

User Management Table

FIG. 13 is an example of schematic diagram of a user management table.The storage unit 8000 includes a user management DB 8002 configured bythe user management table illustrated in FIG. 13. The user managementtable stores or manages user ID, and name (user name) of each userindicated by user ID in association with each other for eachorganization ID.

Union Management Table

FIG. 14 is an example of schematic diagram of a resource managementtable. The storage unit 8000 includes a resource management DB 8003configured by the resource management table illustrated in FIG. 14. Inthis resource management table, a resource ID for identifying a resourceand a name of resource (resource name) are associated and managed foreach organization ID.

Resource Reservation Management Table

FIG. 15 is an example of schematic diagram of a resource reservationmanagement table. The storage unit 8000 includes a resource reservationmanagement DB 8004 configured by the resource reservation managementtable illustrated in FIG. 15. The resource reservation management tablestores or manages reservation information in a state, in which eachpiece of information is associated with each other. The reservationinformation includes, for example, resource ID, resource name, user IDof shared terminal, user ID of reservation holder, scheduled use startdate/time, scheduled use end date/time, and event name for eachorganization ID.

The “user ID of shared terminal” is a user ID of the shared terminal 42installed in a conference room that is an example of resource.

The scheduled use start date/time indicates, for example, a scheduleduse start date/time of each resource. The scheduled use end date/timeindicates, for example, a scheduled use end date/time of each resource.Each date indicates, for example, year, month, day, hour, minute,second, and time zone. Each date illustrated in FIG. 15 represents year,month, day, hour, and minute due to the limitation of space.

Event Management Table

FIG. 16 is an example of schematic diagram of an event management table.The storage unit 8000 includes an event management DB 8005 configured bythe event management table illustrated in FIG. 16. The event managementtable stores or manages schedule information in a state, in which eachpiece of information is associated with each other. The scheduleinformation includes organization ID, user ID, user name, scheduledevent start date/time, scheduled event end date/time, and event name,memo, and file data in association with each other for each scheduledevent ID.

The scheduled event start date/time indicates a scheduled startdate/time when an event is to be conducted. The scheduled event enddate/time indicates a scheduled end date/time when an event is to beconducted.

Each date/time indicates, for example, year, month, day, hour, minute,second, and time zone. Each/time date illustrated in FIG. 16 representsyear, month, day, hour, and minute for the limitation of sheet. Further,as illustrated in FIG. 16, the event management table stores or managesfile data of reference file, to be used in an event indicated in theschedule information, in association with the scheduled event ID.

Server Authentication Management Table

FIG. 17 is an example of schematic diagram of a server authenticationmanagement table. The storage unit 8000 includes a server authenticationmanagement DB 8006 configured by the server authentication managementtable illustrated in FIG. 17. The server authentication management tablestores or manages access ID, and access password in association witheach other. The access ID and access password have the same concept asthe access ID and access password stored or managed by the accessmanagement DB 6002 of the sharing assistant server 11.

Project Member Management Table

FIG. 18 is an example of schematic diagram of a project membermanagement table. The storage unit 8000 includes a project membermanagement DB 8007 configured by the project member management tableillustrated in FIG. 18. The project member management table stores ormanages project ID, project name, and user ID of each project member inassociation with each other for each organization ID.

Conducted Event Record Management Table

FIG. 19 is an example of schematic diagram of a conducted event recordmanagement table. The storage unit 8000 includes a conducted eventrecord management DB 8008 configured by the conducted event recordmanagement table illustrated in FIG. 19. The conducted event recordmanagement DB may be also referred to as the conducted event historymanagement DB. The conducted event record management table stores ormanages content processing ID, type of content processing (contentprocessing type), material of content (content data), and startdate/time and end date/time of content processing in association witheach other for each project ID and conducted event ID.

The conducted event record management DB 8008 stores or manages data,which are partially the same as the content management DB 6005. The samedata includes, for example, conducted event ID, content processing ID,type of content processing, start date/time of content processing, andend date/time of content processing. The material of content (contentdata) has the same storage destination only different in expression ofstorage destination of content data, such as http:// or c://.

Conducted Event Management Table

FIG. 20 is an example of schematic diagram of a conducted eventmanagement table. The storage unit 8000 includes a conducted eventmanagement DB 8009 configured by the conducted event management tableillustrated in FIG. 20. The conducted event management table stores ormanages event name, start date/time of event, and end date/time of eventin association with each other for each conducted event ID. Theconducted event management DB 8009 stores or manages information relatedto each event that was actually conducted among the schedule informationstored or managed in the event management DB 8005.

Related Information Management Table

FIG. 21 is an example of schematic diagram of a related informationmanagement table. The storage unit 8000 includes a related informationmanagement DB 8010 configured by the related information managementtable illustrated in FIG. 21. The related information management tablestores or manages related information in a state, in which each piece ofinformation or data is associated with each other for each project IDand conducted event ID. The related information is stored or managed byassociating content generation time, recorded video data/recorded audiodata, voice-text data, and screen data (image data) with each other.

The content generation time indicates a time of generation of content ina conducted event, which is elapsed from a start date/time of theconducted event. The content generation time is generated by thegeneration unit 83 based on the start date/time of event stored in theevent management DB 8005 and the start date/time and end date/time ofthe content processing stored in the conducted event record managementDB 8008. The content generation time is an example of time information.

The recorded video data/recorded audio data includes, for example,content processing ID and type of content processing.

The voice-text data and screen data include, for example, contentprocessing ID, type of content processing, and sequence number (No.).The sequence No. indicates an occurrence time sequence in which thecontent processing has occurred on the voice-text data and the screendata, respectively.

Functional Configuration of the Schedule Management Server

Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 6, a description is given of eachfunctional unit of the schedule management server 12. In the followingdescription, each functional unit of the schedule management server 12,among the components illustrated in FIG. 3, the relationship with themain components for implementing each functional unit of the schedulemanagement server 12 is to be also described.

The transmission/reception unit 81 of the schedule management server 12illustrated in FIG. 6 is implemented by the instructions from the CPU501 illustrated in FIG. 3 and the network I/F 509 illustrated in FIG. 3.The transmission/reception unit 81 transmits and receives various dataor information to and from the user terminal 40, other server, othersystem, or the like via the communication network 50.

The authentication unit 82, which is implemented by the instructionsfrom the CPU 501 illustrated in FIG. 3, performs authentication bydetermining whether information (e.g., user ID, organization ID, andpassword) transmitted from the user terminal 40 or shared terminal 42matches information registered in the user authentication management DB8001 in advance.

Further, the authentication unit 82 performs authentication bydetermining whether information (e.g., access ID and access password)transmitted from the sharing assistant server 11 matches informationregistered in the server authentication management DB 8006 in advance.

The generation unit 83, which is implemented by the instructions fromthe CPU 501 illustrated in FIG. 3, has a function of generating relatedinformation to be registered in the related information management DB8010.

The management unit 84, which is implemented by the instructions fromthe CPU 501 illustrated in FIG. 3, manages an event (e.g., onlinemeeting).

The storing/reading processing unit 89, which is implemented by theinstructions from the CPU 501 illustrated in FIG. 3 and the HDDcontroller 505 illustrated in FIG. 3, performs processing for storingvarious data in the storage unit 8000 and reading various data stored inthe storage unit 8000.

Functional Configuration of Online Storage Server

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the online storage server 20 includes, forexample, a transmission/reception unit 91, and a storing/readingprocessing unit 99. Each of the functional units of the online storageserver 20 is a function or means implemented by any one of thecomponents illustrated in FIG. 3 under the instructions from the CPU 501executing programs loaded on the RAM 503 from the HD 504. Further, theonline storage server 20 illustrated in FIG. 6 includes a storage unit9000, implemented by the HD 504 illustrated in FIG. 3.

Functional Configuration of Online Storage Server

Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 6, a description is given of eachfunctional unit of the online storage server 20. In the followingdescription, each functional unit of the online storage server 20, amongthe components illustrated in FIG. 3, the relationship with the maincomponents for implementing each functional unit of the online storageserver 20 is to be also described.

The transmission/reception unit 91 of the online storage server 20illustrated in FIG. 6 is implemented by the instructions from the CPU501 illustrated in FIG. 3 and the network I/F 509 illustrated in FIG. 3.The transmission/reception unit 91 transmits and receives various dataor information to and from the user terminal 40, the shared terminal 42,other server, other system, or the like via the communication network50.

The storing/reading processing unit 99, which is implemented by theinstructions from the CPU 501 illustrated in FIG. 3 and the HDDcontroller 505 illustrated in FIG. 3, performs processing for storingvarious data in the storage unit 9000 and reading various data stored inthe storage unit 9000. In this description, some devices and controllerscan be configured using one or more circuits.

Each of the above described IDs is an example of identificationinformation. The organization ID includes, for example, company name,business office name, department name, region name, or the like. Theuser ID includes, for example, employee number, driver's license number,and a social number in the Japanese social security and tax numbersystem.

The functional configuration illustrated in FIG. 6 is just one example,and the functions (processing units and storage units) of the sharingassistant server 11, the schedule management server 12, the onlinestorage server 20, the user terminal 40, and the shared terminal 42 maybe performed in any of the sharing assistant server 11, the schedulemanagement server 12, the online storage server 20, the user terminal40, and the shared terminal 42. For example, the determination unit 65of the sharing assistant server 11 may be included in either the userterminal 40 or the shared terminal 42.

Processing/Operation

Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 22 to 29, a description is given ofprocessing/operation of each embodiment.

Schedule Registration Processing

Hereinafter, a description is given of a process that the reservationholder A (e.g., name is Taro Riko) registers his/her schedule from theuser terminal 40 to the schedule management server 12. The reservationholder is a reservation person.

FIG. 22 is an example sequence diagram of a process of registering aschedule (schedule registration process). FIG. 23 is an example ofsign-in screen. FIG. 24 is an example of initial screen of the userterminal 40. FIG. 25 is an example of schedule screen. FIG. 26 is anexample of schedule input screen.

At first, when the reservation holder A operates the keyboard 511 of theuser terminal 40, the display control unit 54 of the user terminal 40displays a sign-in screen 530 used for performing the sign-in on thedisplay 506 as illustrated in FIG. 23 (step S11).

The sign-in screen 530 includes, for example, an input field 531, aninput field 532, a sign-in button 538, and a cancel button 539.

The input field 531 is used for inputting a user ID and an organizationID of a user. The input field 532 is used for inputting a password.

The sign-in button 538 is to be pressed in a case of performing thesign-in. The cancel button 539 is to be pressed in a case of cancellingthe sign-in.

In this example case, the user ID and the organization ID configure ane-mail address of the reservation holder A. The user name portion of thee-mail address indicates the user ID, and the domain name portionindicates the organization ID. Further, the input field 531 may be aninput field used for separately inputting the user ID and theorganization ID instead of the e-mail address.

Then, if the reservation holder A inputs his/her user ID andorganization ID in the input field 531, inputs his/her password in theinput field 532, and then presses the sign-in button 538, the receptionunit 52 receives or accepts a sign-in request (step S12).

Then, the transmission/reception unit 51 of the user terminal 40transmits sign-in request information indicating the sign-in request tothe schedule management server 12 (step S13). The sign-in requestinformation includes information received in step S12 such as user ID,organization ID, and password. Then, the transmission/reception unit 81of the schedule management server 12 receives the sign-in requestinformation.

Then, the authentication unit 82 of the schedule management server 12authenticates the reservation holder A using the user ID, organizationID, and password (step S14). Specifically, the storing/readingprocessing unit 89 searches a combination of user ID, organization ID,and password corresponding to a combination of the user ID, organizationID, and password received in step S13, in the user authenticationmanagement DB 8001 (see FIG. 12).

If the corresponding combination exists in the user authenticationmanagement DB 8001, the authentication unit 82 determines that thereservation holder A of request source is an authenticated user.

On the other hand, if the corresponding combination does not exist inthe user authentication management DB 8001, the authentication unit 82determines that the reservation holder A is not an authenticated user(i.e., the reservation holder A is an unauthenticated user). If thereservation holder A is the unauthenticated user, thetransmission/reception unit 81 notifies the user terminal 40 that thereservation holder A is the unauthenticated user. In this example case,the description is given by assuming the reservation holder A is theauthenticated user.

Then, the transmission/reception unit 81 transmits an authenticationresult to the user terminal 40 (step S15). Then, thetransmission/reception unit 51 of the user terminal 40 receives theauthentication result.

Then, in response to receiving the authentication result indicating thatthe authentication result is valid in step S15, the generation unit 56of the user terminal 40 generates an initial screen 540 illustrated inFIG. 24 (step S16).

Then, the display control unit 54 of the user terminal 40 instructs thedisplay 506 to display the initial screen 540 as illustrated in FIG. 24(step S17).

As illustrated in FIG. 24, the initial screen 540 includes, for example,a “register schedule” button 541 to be pressed when a schedule isregistered, and a “view conducted event record” button 543 to be pressedwhen a conducted event record is to be viewed.

If the user presses the “register schedule” button 541, the receptionunit 52 receives the schedule registration request (step S18).

Then, the transmission/reception unit 51 transmits the scheduleregistration request information to the schedule management server 12(step S19). Then, the transmission/reception unit 81 of the schedulemanagement server 12 receives the schedule registration requestinformation.

Then, the storing/reading processing unit 89 of the schedule managementserver 12 searches the event management DB 8005 (see FIG. 16) managed bythe scheduler using the user ID of the reservation holder A received instep S13 as a search key to read out the corresponding scheduleinformation (step S20). Further, the storing/reading processing unit 89of the schedule management server 12 searches the user management DB8002 (see FIG. 13) using the organization ID received in step S13 as asearch key to read out all of corresponding user IDs and all ofcorresponding user names (step S20).

Then, the transmission/reception unit 81 transmits schedule input screeninformation to the user terminal 40 (step S21). Then, thetransmission/reception unit 51 of the user terminal 40 receives theschedule input screen information.

The schedule input screen information includes, for example, scheduleinformation of the reservation holder A, all user IDs, and all usernames read out in step S20. All of user names also include a title(name) of the reservation holder, such as the reservation holder A, whohas input information for the sign-in in step S12.

Then, at the user terminal 40, the generation unit 56 generates aschedule screen 545 (see FIG. 25) and a schedule input screen 550 (seeFIG. 26) using the schedule input screen information received in stepS21 (step S22).

Then, the display control unit 54 of the user terminal 40 instructs thedisplay 506 to display the schedule screen 545 and the schedule inputscreen 550 (step S23).

As illustrated in FIG. 25, the schedule screen 545 includes a scheduleinformation display field 546 used for displaying schedule informationset for the reservation holder A, and a “create meeting” button 547 tobe pressed when creating a meeting schedule. The reservation holder Acan shift from the schedule screen 545 (see FIG. 25) to the scheduleinput screen 550 (see FIG. 26) by pressing the “create meeting” button547 on the schedule screen 545.

As illustrated in FIG. 26, the schedule input screen 550 includes, forexample, an input field 551, an input field 552, an input field 553, aninput field 554, an input field 555, a display area 556, an input field557, an input field 558, a “schedule setting” button 559, and a “close”button 560.

The input field 551 is used for inputting an event name. The input field552 is used for inputting a resource ID or a resource name to be used asa place (e.g., conference room). The input field 553 is used forinputting a scheduled start date/time of execution of event, and ascheduled end date/time of execution of event. The input field 555 isused for inputting a memo such as agenda or the like.

The display area 556 is used for displaying a reservation holder name.

The input field 557 is used for selecting one or more participant namesof participants other than the reservation holder. The input field 558is used for inputting the shared terminal 42 to be used in an event.

The “schedule setting” button 559 is to be pressed in a case ofregistering a reservation. The “close” button 560 is to be pressed in acase of canceling information being input or input information.

Further, the input field 558 used for inputting the shared terminal 42to be used in the event can be configured to present or propose acandidate 561 as illustrated in FIG. 27, for example, by inputting apart of name (user name) of the shared terminal 42. When a user inputsthe information in the input field 558 or selects the shared terminal 42to be used in the event from the candidate 561, the shared terminal 42is set as a device to be used for the event in a device display field562 of the schedule input screen 550 as indicated in FIG. 28.

Further, as to the setting of the device to be used in the event, forexample, as illustrated in the schedule input screen 550 illustrated inFIG. 29, by inputting a place to be used, such as a conference room,into the input field 552, the shared terminal 42 installed in the placeto be used, such as the conference room, may be set as the device to beused in the event.

Then, the reservation holder A inputs necessary information on theschedule input screen 550, and then presses the “schedule setting”button 559.

Then, the reception unit 52 receives an input of the scheduleinformation (step S24).

Then, the transmission/reception unit 51 transmits the scheduleinformation to the schedule management server 12 (step S25).

The schedule information includes, for example, event name, resource ID(or resource name), scheduled start date/time, scheduled end date/time,user ID of each participant, user ID of to-be-used shared terminal 42,and a memo. Although not illustrated in the schedule input screen 550 ofFIG. 25, if a selection of file data of reference material to be used inan event is received from the reservation holder A, the file data isincluded in the schedule information.

Then, the transmission/reception unit 81 of the schedule managementserver 12 receives the schedule information.

Then, if the schedule management server 12 receives the resource ID (orresource name) in step S25, the schedule management server 12 searchesthe resource management DB 8003 (see FIG. 14) using the receivedresource ID as a search key to read out the corresponding resource name(or resource ID) (step S26).

Then, the storing/reading processing unit 89 stores the reservationinformation for the resource name (or resource ID) read out in step S26in the resource reservation management DB 8004 (see FIG. 15) (step S27).The storing/reading processing unit 89 adds one record of thereservation information to the resource reservation management tablestored in the resource reservation management DB 8004 managed by thescheduler registered in advance. The reservation information isconfigured based on the schedule information received in step S25 andthe resource name (or resource ID) read out in step S26.

In an example of the resource reservation management table illustratedin FIG. 15, the item of “user ID of shared terminal” represents theshared terminal 42 set as a device to be used in an event.

Further, the scheduled use start date/time stored in the resourcereservation management DB 8004 corresponds to the scheduled startdate/time included in the schedule information. Further, the scheduleduse end date/time stored in the resource reservation management DB 8004corresponds to the scheduled end date/time included in the scheduleinformation.

Further, the storing/reading processing unit 89 stores the scheduleinformation (event information) in the event management DB 8005 (seeFIG. 16) (step S28). The storing/reading processing unit 89 adds onerecord of the schedule information to the event management table storedin the event management DB 8005 managed by the scheduler registered inadvance.

The schedule information is configured based on the schedule informationreceived in step S25. As to an example of the event management tableillustrated in FIG. 16, the shared terminal 42 having the user ID“u0000” is set as a device to be used in an event.

Further, the scheduled event start date/time in the event management DB8005 corresponds to the scheduled start date/time in the scheduleinformation. Further, the scheduled event end date/time in the eventmanagement DB 8005 corresponds to the scheduled end date/time includedin the schedule information.

With this configuration, the reservation holder A can register aschedule of an event, such as an online meeting, in which the sharedterminal 42 is selected as a device to be used.

Event Start Processing

Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 30 and 31, a description is givenof a process of holding a meeting with the user terminal 40 of otherparticipant by using the shared terminal 42 in the conference room Xreserved by the reservation holder A (e.g., name is Taro Riko). FIGS. 30and 31 are examples of sequence diagrams indicating a process ofstarting an event.

At first, when the reservation holder A presses a power switch of theshared terminal 42, the reception unit 22 of the shared terminal 42receives a power ON signal from the reservation holder A (step S31).

Then, the display control unit 24 of the shared terminal 42 displays asign-in screen used for performing a sign-in on the display 220 (stepS32).

Then, if the reservation holder A inputs his/her e-mail address andpassword on the sign-in screen, the reception unit 22 receives oraccepts a sign-in request (step S33).

Then, the transmission/reception unit 21 transmits sign-in requestinformation indicating the sign-in request to the sharing assistantserver 11 (step S34). The sign-in request information includes, forexample, the information received in step S33 such as user ID,organization ID, and password. Then, the transmission/reception unit 61of the sharing assistant server 11 receives the sign-in requestinformation.

Then, the authentication unit 62 of the sharing assistant server 11authenticates the reservation holder A using the user ID, organizationID, and password of the reservation holder A received in step S34 (stepS35). Specifically, the storing/reading processing unit 69 uses the userID, organization ID, and password of the reservation holder A receivedin step S34 as search keys to search a combination of user ID,organization ID, and password corresponding to a combination of the userID, organization ID, and password of the reservation holder A receivedin step S34, in the user authentication management DB 6001 (see FIG. 7).

If the corresponding combination exists in the user authenticationmanagement DB 6001, the authentication unit 62 determines that thereservation holder A of request source is an authenticated user.

On the other hand, if the corresponding combination does not exist inthe user authentication management DB 6001, the authentication unit 62determines that the reservation holder A is not an authenticated user(i.e., the reservation holder A is an unauthenticated user). If thereservation holder A is the unauthenticated user, thetransmission/reception unit 61 notifies the shared terminal 42 that thereservation holder A is the unauthenticated user.

In this example case, the description is given by assuming thereservation holder A is the authenticated user.

Then, the storing/reading processing unit 69 of the sharing assistantserver 11 searches the access management DB 6002 (see FIG. 8) using theorganization ID of the reservation holder A received in step S34 as asearch key to read out the corresponding access ID and access password(step S36).

Then, the transmission/reception unit 61 transmits, to the schedulemanagement server 12, reservation request information indicating arequest for reservation information of resource, and schedule requestinformation indicating a request for schedule information of user (stepS37). The reservation request information and the schedule requestinformation include the user ID, organization ID, and password of thereservation holder A received in step S34, and the access ID and accesspassword read out in step S36. Then, the transmission/reception unit 81of the schedule management server 12 receives the reservation requestinformation and the schedule request information.

Then, the authentication unit 82 of the schedule management server 12authenticates the sharing assistant server 11 using the access ID andaccess password (step S38).

Specifically, the storing/reading processing unit 89 searches acombination of access ID and access password corresponding to acombination of the access ID and access password received in step S37,in the server authentication management DB 8006 (see FIG. 17).

If the corresponding combination exists in the server authenticationmanagement DB 8006, the authentication unit 82 determines that thesharing assistant server 11 of request source is an authenticated accessuser.

On the other hand, if the corresponding combination does not exist inthe server authentication management DB 8006, the authentication unit 82determines that the sharing assistant server 11 of request source is notan authenticated access user (i.e., the sharing assistant server 11 isunauthenticated access user). If the sharing assistant server 11 is theunauthenticated access user, the transmission/reception unit 81 notifiesthe sharing assistant server 11 that the sharing assistant server 11 isthe unauthenticated access user.

In this example case, the description is given by assuming the sharingassistant server 11 is the authenticated access user.

Then, the storing/reading processing unit 89 of the schedule managementserver 12 reads out the corresponding reservation information bysearching the resource reservation management DB 8004 (see FIG. 15)managed by the scheduler using the resource ID received in step S37 as asearch key (step S39). In step S39, the storing/reading processing unit89 reads out the reservation information whose scheduled use startdate/time is today.

Further, the storing/reading processing unit 89 searches the eventmanagement DB 8005 (see FIG. 16) managed by the scheduler using the userID of the reservation holder A received in step S37 as a search key toread out the corresponding schedule information (step S40).

In this example case, the storing/reading processing unit 89 reads outthe schedule information whose event start schedule date is today. Ifthe schedule management server 12 is located in a different country orregion from the shared terminal 42, the schedule management server 12adjusts the time zone in accordance with the country or region where theshared terminal 42 is located based on the time zone information.

Then, the storing/reading processing unit 89 searches the project membermanagement DB 8007 (see FIG. 18) using the user ID of the reservationholder A received in step S37 as a search key to read out the project IDand the project name of all of projects including the user ID of thereservation holder A (step S41).

Then, the transmission/reception unit 81 transmits, to the sharingassistant server 11, the reservation information read out in step S39,the schedule information read out in step S40, and all of project IDsand all of project names read out in step S41 (step S42). Then, thetransmission/reception unit 61 of the sharing assistant server 11receives the reservation information, the schedule information, all ofproject IDs, and all of project names.

Then, the creation unit 63 of the sharing assistant server 11 creates areservation list based on the reservation information and the scheduleinformation received in step S42 (step S43).

Then, the transmission/reception unit 61 transmits, to the sharedterminal 42, reservation list information indicating content of thereservation list, and all of project IDs and all of project names (stepS44). Then, the transmission/reception unit 21 of the shared terminal 42receives the reservation list information, and all of project IDs andall of project names.

Then, at the shared terminal 42, the display control unit 24 instructsthe display 220 to display a reservation list screen 230 illustrated inFIG. 32 (step S45).

FIG. 32 is an example of a reservation list screen of the resource. Thereservation list screen 230 includes a display area 231 used fordisplaying a resource name (in this case, place name), and a displayarea 232 used for displaying date of today. Further, the reservationlist screen 230 displays event information 235 to 237 indicating eachevent using a particular resource (e.g., conference room X in thisexample) of the date of today.

The event information is information or data related to theabove-described event. The event information includes, for example,scheduled use start time and end time of resource, event name, and nameof person who has reserved each resource (reservation holder name) foreach event. The event information includes, for example, start buttons235 s to 237 s, or the like, to be pressed if a user designates orspecifies an event to be started, but is not limited to thereto. Theevent information may include participant, actual use start and endtime, communication conditions, calling quality, or the like.

Then, in FIG. 32, if the reservation holder A presses the start button235 s with the pointing device 512, the reception unit 52 receives aselection of an event indicated by the event information 235 (step S51).

Then, the display control unit 24 displays a project list screen 240,illustrated in FIG. 33, on the display 220 based on the project ID andthe project name received in step S44 (step S52).

FIG. 33 is an example of the project list screen 240. The project listscreen 240 includes, for example, project icons 241 to 246 indicatingeach project. The project list screen 240 further includes an “OK”button 248 to be pressed when to confirm a selected project icon, and a“CANCEL” button 249 to be pressed when to cancel a selection of projecticon.

Then, in FIG. 33, if the reservation holder A presses the project icon241 with the electronic pen 2500 or the like, the reception unit 22receives a selection of a project indicated by the project icon 241(step S53).

Then, the transmission/reception unit 21 of the shared terminal 42transmits to the sharing assistant server 11, the scheduled event IDindicating the scheduled event selected in step S51, and the project IDindicating the project selected in step S53 (step S54). The processingof step S54 is a transmission request processing of conducted eventidentification information. Then, the transmission/reception unit 61 ofthe sharing assistant server 11 receives the selected scheduled event IDand the selected project ID.

Then, at the sharing assistant server 11, the generation unit 64generates a unique conducted event ID (step S55).

Then, the storing/reading processing unit 69 stores or manages theconducted event ID generated in step S55, the scheduled event ID, userID and organization ID of reservation holder, and the event informationreceived in step S54 in association with each other (step S56).

The user ID and organization ID of the reservation holder and the eventinformation are IDs and information based on the reservation informationand the schedule information received in step S42. At this stage,information is not yet input in a column of participation or absence ofthe reservation management table (see FIG. 9).

Then, the storing/reading processing unit 69 stores or manages theproject ID received in step S54, and the conducted event ID generated instep S55 in association with each other (step S57).

Then, at the sharing assistant server 11, the transmission/receptionunit 61 transmits, to the schedule management server 12, file datatransmission request information indicating a transmission request offile data registered in the schedule management server 12 (step S58).The file data transmission request information includes the scheduledevent ID received in step S54, the user ID and organization ID of thereservation holder A received in step S34, and the access ID and accesspassword read out in step S36. Then, the transmission/reception unit 81of the schedule management server 12 receives the file data transmissionrequest information.

Then, the storing/reading processing unit 89 of the schedule managementserver 12 searches the event management DB 8005 (see FIG. 16) using thescheduled event ID received in step S58 as a search key to read out filedata associated with the scheduled event ID (step S59).

Then, the transmission/reception unit 81 transmits the file data readout in step S59 to the sharing assistant server 11 (step S60). Then, thetransmission/reception unit 61 of the sharing assistant server 11receives the file data.

Then, the storing/reading processing unit 69 of the sharing assistantserver 11 stores and manages the file data received in step S60 in theschedule management DB 6003 (see FIG. 9) in association with thescheduled event ID received in step S54 and the conducted event IDgenerated in step S55 (step S61).

Then, the transmission/reception unit 61 transmits the conducted eventID generated in step S55 and the file data received in step S60 to theshared terminal 42 to which the reservation holder A has performed thesign-in (step S62). Then, the transmission/reception unit 21 of theshared terminal 42 receives the conducted event ID and the file data.

Further, the transmission/reception unit 21 may transmit an invitationto the event to the user terminal 40 of other participant using aninvitation mail or the like. The attendance request for event includes,for example, various kinds of information for participating (attending)the event started by the reservation holder A.

With this configuration, the other participant can use the participationrequest notice for the particular event to notify his/her participationto the particular event from the user terminal 40 used by the otherparticipant to the sharing assistant server 11 to participate theparticular event, such as the online meeting started by the reservationholder A.

Then, at the shared terminal 42, the storing/reading processing unit 29stores the conducted event ID and the file data in the storage unit 2000(step S63). In step S63, the file data transmitted from the sharingassistant server 11 is stored in a specific storage area of the storageunit 2000. With this configuration, the shared terminal 42 accesses thespecific storage area during the execution of the event, and the displaycontrol unit 24 instructs the display 220 to display the file datastored in the specific storage area.

The specific storage area is a temporary storage destination of dataprovided for each event that is being conducted, and is a storage areaspecified by an arbitrary path (text string) indicating a location inthe storage unit 2000.

Further, the specific storage area is not limited to the configurationprovided inside the shared terminal 42. For example, the specificstorage area may be provided in an external storage device connected tothe shared terminal 42 or in a local server which exists in anon-premise environment and can communicate with the shared terminal 42.

Then, as illustrated in FIG. 34, the display control unit 24 instructsthe display 220 to display a detailed information screen 250 of theselected event (hereinafter, event detailed information screen 250)(step S64).

The event detailed information screen 250 includes, for example, adisplay area 251 used for displaying event name, a display area 252 usedfor displaying scheduled event execution time (scheduled start time andscheduled end time) of event, and a display area 253 used for displayingname of reservation holder.

Further, the event detailed information screen 250 includes a displayarea 256 used for displaying content of memo, a display area 257 usedfor displaying name of scheduled participant, and a display area 258used for displaying identification information (e.g., file name)identifying file data stored in the specific storage area of the storageunit 2000.

The display area 257 displays the name of reservation holder and thename of selected other participant.

Further, the display area 258 displays a file name of file data storedin the specific storage area of the storage unit 2000, that is a filename of file data downloaded from the sharing assistant server 11, andalso displays a file name of file data being downloaded from the sharingassistant server 11.

Further, the event detailed information screen 250 includes a “close”button 259 at the lower right portion of the event detailed informationscreen 250, which is to be pressed when the event detailed informationscreen 250 is closed.

Then, the other participant, who has received the participation requestnotice, sends or transmits a participation notification to the eventfrom the user terminal 40 to the sharing assistant server 11, andparticipates an event such as an online meeting started by thereservation holder A (step S66). Then, the transmission/reception unit61 of the sharing assistant server 11 receives the user ID of the otherparticipant who has participated the event, such as the online meetingstarted by the reservation holder A.

Then, the sharing assistant server 11 inputs a mark of participation orabsence of each participant in the column of participation or absence inthe schedule management DB 6003 (see FIG. 9), that has not been input,and then stores and manages the participation or absence of eachparticipant (step S67).

With this configuration, the reservation holder A and the otherparticipant can start the event (e.g., online meeting) using theresource (e.g., conference room X) and the shared terminal 42. Then, thedisplay control unit 24 instructs the display 220 to display an eventexecution screen.

Processing during Event

Hereinafter, a description is given of processing during an onlinemeeting after starting the online meeting, which is an example of event.When an event such as an online meeting has started, the reservationholder A and other participant who are members of a project forcollaboration work can hold the online meeting using a file sharingfunction, a screen sharing function, a voice call function, a video callfunction, a chat function, or the like provided by the collaborationsystem 10.

During the online meeting, the reservation holder A and otherparticipants can use the chat function to transmit a message having amention designating the shared terminal 42, from the user terminal 40 tothe shared terminal 42, with which the function of the shared terminal42 can be controlled from the user terminal 40, to be described later.

FIG. 35 is an example of correlation of message contents of chatfunction with operation contents (functions) of the shared terminal 42,which can be controlled by the message contents. The message contents ofFIG. 35 are contents of messages that are posted using the chatfunction, and may be text or an attached file.

For example, if the message contents of FIG. 35 are set, and a messagecontent is attached with a file of “test.ppt” having a mention, such as“@xx (conference room: electronic whiteboard” (see FIG. 36), asillustrated as a screen image in FIG. 37, the message content indicatesa content of operation displaying the file of “test.ppt” of FIG. 36 onthe shared terminal 42. FIG. 36 is an example of message content postedusing the chat function. FIG. 37 is an example of a display screen ofattached file.

Further, if the message contents of FIG. 35 are set, and a messagecontent is attached with a mention, such as “@xx conference room:electronic whiteboard” and a text of “capture screen” as illustrated inFIG. 38, the message content indicates a content of operation ofcapturing a screen including writing content (see screen image of FIG.39), and a content of operation of posting the captured screen file,which is indicated as the message at the lower part in FIG. 38.

Further, if the message contents of FIG. 35 are set, and a messagecontent is attached with a mention, such as “@xx conference room:electronic whiteboard” and a text of “view screen”, the message contentindicates a content of operation of sharing a display screen of theshared terminal 42 (see screen image of FIG. 40(a)), by membersparticipating the same online meeting. FIG. 40 (40(a), 40(b)) isexamples of a display screen of the shared terminal 42 and a cameraimage.

Further, if the message contents of FIG. 35 are set, and a messagecontent is attached with a mention, such as “@xx conference room:electronic whiteboard” and a text of “view camera image”, the messagecontent indicates a content of operation of sharing a camera image ofthe shared terminal 42 (see screen image of FIG. 40(b)), by the membersparticipating the same online meeting.

Further, the switching between the display image of FIG. 40(a) and thecamera image of FIG. 40(b) can be performed by a button 580 set at thelower left corner of a screen displayed on the shared terminal 42 (seeFIG. 40), in addition to a method using the chat function.

Further, if the message contents of FIG. 35 are set, and a messagecontent includes text indicating an end of meeting, such as “test hasended” as illustrated in FIG. 41, the message content indicates acontent of operation of posting a file of meeting log of “meetinglog.zip”, which is indicated as a message at the lower part in FIG. 41.

The processing for controlling the functions of the shared terminal 42by the participant of the online meeting using the chat function and theconfiguration of FIG. 35 can be implemented by performing a processingprocedure of sequence diagram illustrated in FIGS. 42 and 43.

FIGS. 42 and 43 are sequence diagrams illustrating a process when a userrequests a control of the shared terminal 42 using a chat function.

The sequence diagram of FIG. 42 indicates an example, in which a controlrequest of function of the shared terminal 42 using the chat function isreceived from a user (Mr. A) who participates the same online meeting asthe shared terminal 42. Further, the sequence diagram of FIG. 43indicates an example, in which a control request of function of theshared terminal 42 using the chat function is received from a user (Mr.B) who does not participate the same online meeting as the sharedterminal 42.

As indicated in FIG. 42, if a user (Mr. A) designates the sharedterminal 42 as a mention and transmits a chat message attached with afile to the collaboration system 10 using the user terminal 40, the userterminal 40 posts the chat message (step S100).

Then, the collaboration system 10 transmits the posted message havingthe mention to the shared terminal 42 (step S102). Then, since themention of the received message designates the shared terminal 42, andthe message is attached with the file, the shared terminal 42 determinesthat the shared terminal 42 has received a request of displaying(projecting) the file.

Then, the determination unit 25 of the shared terminal 42 inquires thecollaboration system 10 whether or not the user (Mr. A) who has postedthe message received in step S102 is participating the same onlinemeeting that the shared terminal 42 has participated (step S104). Forexample, the shared terminal 42 transmits identification information ofthe user (Mr. A) who has posted the message to the collaboration system10.

The collaboration system 10 includes, for example, the schedulemanagement table (see FIG. 9) in the storage unit 6000 of the sharingassistant server 11. The schedule management table stores reservationholder name of online meeting, user ID of reservation holder, name ofother participant, and user ID of other participant.

The collaboration system 10 determines whether the receivedidentification information of the user is included in the identificationinformation of the reservation holder and other participant stored inthe schedule management table. If the collaboration system 10 determinesthat the received identification information of the user is included inthe identification information of the reservation holder and otherparticipant stored in the schedule management table, the collaborationsystem 10 determines that the user corresponding to the receivedidentification information is participating the same online meeting.

Since FIG. 42 indicates an example case that the user A has participatedthe same online meeting, the collaboration system 10 returns informationof “Yes” indicating that the user A has participated the same onlinemeeting to the shared terminal 42 (step S106).

Since the user (Mr. A) who has posted the message is participating thesame online meeting of the shared terminal 42, the function control unit31 of the shared terminal 42 performs a control of displaying(projecting) the file attached to the message received in step S102(step S108).

As to the sequence diagram of FIG. 42, the user can operate the sharedterminal 42 from the user terminal 40 by sending or transmitting themessage using the chat function to the shared terminal 42 participatingthe same online meeting.

As indicated in FIG. 43, if a user (Mr. B) designates the sharedterminal 42 as a mention and transmits a chat message attached with afile to the collaboration system 10 using the user terminal 40, the userterminal 40 posts the chat message (step S110).

Then, the collaboration system 10 transmits the posted message havingthe mention to the shared terminal 42 (step S112). Then, since themention of the received message designates the shared terminal 42, andthe message is attached with the file, the shared terminal 42 determinesthat the shared terminal 42 has received a request of displaying(projecting) the file.

Then, the determination unit 25 of the shared terminal 42 inquires thecollaboration system 10 whether or not the user (Mr. B) who has postedthe message received in step S102 is participating the same onlinemeeting that the shared terminal 42 has participated (step S114).

Since FIG. 43 indicates an example case that the user B has notparticipated the same online meeting, the collaboration system 10returns information of “No” indicating that the user B has notparticipated the same online meeting to the shared terminal 42 (stepS116).

Since the user (Mr. B) who has posted the message is not participatingthe same online meeting of the shared terminal 42, the function controlunit 31 of the shared terminal 42 performs a control of not displaying(projecting) the file attached to the message received in step S112.

Then, the determination unit 25 posts, for example, a message contentillustrated in FIG. 44 designating the user (Mr. B) as a mention (stepS118).

FIG. 44 is an example of message content posted using the chat function.In an example of FIG. 44, a message including a mention such as “@Mr. B”and text of “you cannot operate electronic whiteboard in xx conferenceroom because you are not participating the same meeting of theelectronic whiteboard” is set and transmitted.

Then, the collaboration system 10 transmits the posted message havingthe mention to the user terminal 40 operated by the user (Mr. B) (stepS120). Since the user (Mr. B) is not participating the online meetingthat the shared terminal 42 has participated as indicated by the messagecontents of FIG. 44, the user (Mr. B) can confirm that the file attachedto the message posted in step S110 is not displayed (projected) on theshared terminal 42.

As to the sequence diagram of FIG. 43, an operation of the sharedterminal 42 using the chat function from a user who does not participatethe same online meeting can be rejected.

In the sequence diagrams illustrated in FIGS. 42 and 43, the sharedterminal 42 determines that the request is a displaying (projecting) ofthe attached file from the received message content, but is not limitedthereto. For example, the collaboration system 10 can determine that therequest is a displaying (projecting) of the attached file as illustratedin sequence diagrams illustrated in FIGS. 45 and 46.

FIGS. 45 and 46 are sequence diagrams illustrating a process when a userrequests a control of the shared terminal 42 using a chat function.

The sequence diagram of FIG. 45 indicates an example, in which a controlrequest of function of the shared terminal 42 using the chat function isreceived from a user (Mr. A) who participates the same online meeting asthe shared terminal 42. Further, the sequence diagram of FIG. 46indicates an example, in which a control request of function of theshared terminal 42 using the chat function is received from a user (Mr.B) who does not participate the same online meeting as the sharedterminal 42.

As indicated in FIG. 45, if a user (Mr. A) designates the sharedterminal 42 as a mention and transmits a chat message attached with afile to the collaboration system 10 using the user terminal 40, the userterminal 40 posts the chat message (step S140).

Then, since the mention of the received message designates the sharedterminal 42, and the message is attached with the file, thedetermination unit 65 of the collaboration system 10 determines that therequest is a request for displaying (projecting) of the attached file.Further, the determination unit 65 can determine the type of operationrequest using a correlation table (see FIG. 35) that associates themessage contents with the operation contents (functions) of the sharedterminal 42 that can be controlled by the message contents.

Then, the determination unit 65 checks whether the user (Mr. A) who hasposted the message received in step S140 is participating the onlinemeeting that the shared terminal 42 has participated (step S142). SinceFIG. 45 indicates an example that the user (Mr. A) and the sharedterminal 42 have participated the same online meeting, the determinationunit 65 determines that the user (Mr. A) and the shared terminal 42 areparticipating the same online meeting.

Since the user (Mr. A) who has posted the message is participating thesame online meeting of the shared terminal 42, the control request unit67 of the collaboration system 10 requests the shared terminal 42performs a control of displaying (projecting) the file attached to themessage received in step S140 (step S144).

Then, the function control unit 31 of the shared terminal 42 performs acontrol of displaying (projecting) of the file attached to the messagereceived in step S140 in accordance with the control request in stepS144 (step S146).

As to the sequence diagram of FIG. 45, the user can operate the sharedterminal 42 from the user terminal 40 by sending or transmitting themessage using the chat function to the shared terminal 42 participatingthe same online meeting.

As indicated in FIG. 46, if a user (Mr. B) designates the sharedterminal 42 as a mention and transmits a chat message attached with afile to the collaboration system 10 using the user terminal 40, the userterminal 40 posts the chat message (step S160).

Then, since the mention of the received message designates the sharedterminal 42, and the message is attached with the file, thedetermination unit 65 of the collaboration system 10 determines that therequest is a request for displaying (projecting) of the attached file.

Then, the determination unit 65 checks whether the user (Mr. B) who hasposted the message received in step S160 is participating the onlinemeeting that the shared terminal 42 has participated (step S162). SinceFIG. 46 indicates an example case that the user B has not participatedthe same online meeting, the determination unit 65 determines that theuser (user B) is not participating the same online meeting.

Since the user (Mr. B) who has posted the message is not participatingthe online meeting that the shared terminal 42 has participated, thecollaboration system 10 transmits, for example, a message having amention (see FIG. 44) to the user terminal 40 operated by the user (Mr.B) (step S164). Since the user (Mr. B) is not participating the onlinemeeting that the shared terminal 42 has participated as indicated by themessage contents of FIG. 44, the user (Mr. B) can confirm that the fileattached to the message posted in step S160 is not displayed (projected)on the shared terminal 42.

As to the sequence diagram of FIG. 46, an operation of the sharedterminal 42 using the chat function from a user who does not participatethe same online meeting can be rejected.

Modification of System

Although the above described embodiment has described a case where amessage displayed on a chat screen is used, but a message transmittedinternally in the system (not displayed on the chat screen) may be used.Further, the above described embodiment can be also implemented using amessage transmission function different from the chat function.

Although the text chat is described in the above embodiment, the sharedterminal 42 can be operated, for example, using voice. FIG. 47 is anexample sequence diagram illustrating a process when a user requests acontrol of the shared terminal 42 using voice. The sequence diagram ofFIG. 47 indicates an example, in which a control request of function ofthe shared terminal 42 using the chat function is received from a user(Mr. A) who has participated the same online meeting of the sharedterminal 42.

As indicated in FIG. 47, the user (Mr. A) who operates the user terminal40 speaks “capture screen of electronic whiteboard in xx conferenceroom” (step S180).

Then, the user terminal 40 operated by the user (Mr. A) performs voiceanalysis processing on voice data to convert the voice data into textdata (step S182).

Then, the user terminal 40 uses the text data converted from the voicedata by performing the voice analysis processing in step S182 totransmit a chat message designating the shared terminal 42 as a mentionand attached with a file to the collaboration system 10 to post the chatmessage (step S184).

Then, the collaboration system 10 transmits the posted message havingthe mention to the shared terminal 42 (step S186).

Since the processing after step S186 is the same as the processing afterstep S102 in FIG. 42, the description thereof will be omitted. In FIG.47, the user terminal 40 performs the voice analysis processing on thevoice data, but the collaboration system 10 can be configured to performthe voice analysis processing on the voice data.

Further, for example, by using the voice chat function, a voice messagemay be posted, and the voice analysis processing may be performed by thecollaboration system 10 or the shared terminal 42 to determine the typeof operation request from the message content.

Further, for example, after ending the above-described online meeting,as illustrated at the lower part of FIG. 41, the meeting log is postedas a file includes, for example, a screen capture including the contentswritten at the time of ending the online meeting, and audio data/videodata recorded using the microphone 2200 and the camera 2400.

Further, after ending the online meeting, the power supply of the sharedterminal 42 may be turned off, or all the written contents may bedeleted. As described above, no problem occurs as long as the powersupply is turned off or the written content is deleted after ending theonline meeting. However, if the power supply is turned off or thewritten content is deleted during the online meeting, the meeting logcannot be posted correctly.

Therefore, when the shared terminal 42 receives an operation of turningoff the power supply or deleting the written contents (e.g., deletingall information or deleting pages) from a user during the onlinemeeting, the shared terminal 42 may display a user interface (UI)illustrated in FIG. 48 to request the user to confirm whether or not topost the meeting log to the chat. By using the UI illustrated in FIG.48, even if the shared terminal 42 receives the power-off operation orwritten content deletion operation from the user during the onlinemeeting, the shared terminal 42 can post the file of meeting log asillustrated in FIG. 49.

The above described embodiment is also implemented as an informationprocessing apparatus connectable to a plurality of user terminals and ashared terminal via a network. The information processing apparatusincludes circuitry configured to receive text data transmitted andreceived between the plurality of user terminals; determine whether ornot the received text data includes a request for controlling the sharedterminal; and request, to the shared terminal, controlling the sharedterminal based on a determination that the text data includes therequest for controlling the shared terminal.

The above described embodiment is also implemented as a user terminalconnectable to a shared terminal, an information processing apparatus,and another user terminal via a network. The user terminal includescircuitry configured to receive an input of text data to be transmittedto the another user terminal; determine whether or not the received textdata includes a request for controlling the shared terminal; andrequest, to the information processing apparatus, for controlling theshared terminal based on a determination that the text data includes therequest for controlling the shared terminal.

The above described embodiment is also implemented as a method ofprocessing information performable by a shared terminal connectable to aplurality of user terminals and an information processing apparatus viaa network. The method includes receiving text data transmitted andreceived between the plurality of user terminals; determining whether ornot the received text data includes a request for controlling the sharedterminal; and controlling the shared terminal based on a determinationthat the text data includes the request for controlling the sharedterminal.

The above described embodiment is also implemented as a method ofprocessing information performable by an information processingapparatus connectable to a plurality of user terminals and a sharedterminal via a network. The method includes receiving text datatransmitted and received between the plurality of user terminals;determining whether or not a request for controlling the shared terminalis included in the received text data; and requesting, to the sharedterminal, controlling of the shared terminal based on a determinationthat the text data includes the request for controlling the sharedterminal.

The above described embodiment is also implemented as a non-transitorycomputer readable storage medium storing one or more instructions that,when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or moreprocessors to perform a method of processing information performable bya shared terminal connectable to a plurality of user terminals and aninformation processing apparatus via a network. The method includesreceiving text data transmitted and received between the plurality ofuser terminals; determining whether or not the received text dataincludes a request for controlling the shared terminal; and controllingthe shared terminal based on a determination that the text data includesthe request for controlling the shared terminal.

The above described embodiment is also implemented as a non-transitorycomputer readable storage medium storing one or more instructions that,when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or moreprocessors to perform a method of processing information performable byan information processing apparatus connectable to a plurality of userterminals and a shared terminal via a network. The method includesreceiving text data transmitted and received between the plurality ofuser terminals; determining whether or not a request for controlling theshared terminal is included in the received text data; and requesting,to the shared terminal, controlling of the shared terminal based on adetermination that the text data includes the request for controllingthe shared terminal.

The above described embodiment is also implemented as a non-transitorycomputer readable storage medium storing one or more instructions that,when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or moreprocessors to perform a method of processing information performable bya user terminal connectable to a shared terminal, an informationprocessing apparatus, and another user terminal via a network. Themethod includes receiving an input of text data to be transmitted to theanother user terminal; determining whether or not the received text dataincludes a request for controlling the shared terminal; and requesting,to the information processing apparatus, for controlling the sharedterminal based on a determination that the text data includes therequest for controlling the shared terminal.

As to the above described embodiment of this disclosure, when users anda shared terminal participate the same event, a text datatransmission-reception system can assist or support each user to operatethe shared terminal.

Numerous additional modifications and variations are possible in lightof the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that, withinthe scope of the appended claims, the disclosure of this specificationcan be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Anyone of the above-described operations may be performed in various otherways, for example, in an order different from the one described above.For example, a configuration that combines the first embodiment andmodification can be applied. The information processing system 1described in the above described embodiment is just one example, andthere are various system configurations depending on applications andpurposes.

Each of the functions of the above-described embodiments can beimplemented by one or more processing circuits or circuitry. Processingcircuitry includes a programmed processor, as a processor includescircuitry. A processing circuit also includes devices such as anapplication specific integrated circuit (ASIC), digital signal processor(DSP), field programmable gate array (FPGA), and conventional circuitcomponents arranged to perform the recited functions.

The group of apparatuses or devices described in the above embodimentonly represents one of a plurality of computing environments forimplementing the embodiment disclosed herein.

In one embodiment, the sharing assistant server 11 and the schedulemanagement server 12 may include a plurality of computing devices, suchas server clusters. The plurality of computing devices are configured tocommunicate with each other over any type of communication link,including the communication network 50, shared memory, or the like, toperform the processing disclosed herein.

Further, the sharing assistant server 11, the schedule management server12, the voice-to-text conversion server 13, the file management server14, the user terminal 40, and the shared terminal 42 can be configuredto share the processing steps disclosed herein in various combinations.For example, a process performable by a given unit may be performable byother unit. Similarly, the function performable by a given unit may beperformable by other unit. Further, each of the functional units of thesharing assistant server 11, the schedule management server 12, thevoice-to-text conversion server 13, and the file management server 14may be integrated into one apparatus or may be divided into a pluralityof apparatuses.

The collaboration system 10 is an example of collaboration workassistant system. The management unit 84 is an example of managementunit. The message and voice message of the chat function are examples ofvoice data, spoken data, or statement data. The distribution unit 66 isan example of distribution unit. The function control unit 31 is anexample of function control unit. The storage request unit 32 is anexample of storage request unit. The schedule input screen 550 is anexample of setting screen. The determination unit 25 is an example ofdetermination unit. The control request unit 67 is an example of controlrequest unit. The information processing system 1 is an example of textdata transmission-reception system or data transmission-receptionsystem. The collaboration system 10 is an example of informationprocessing apparatus. The transmission/reception unit 51 is an exampleof transmission/reception unit. The function control unit 31 is anexample of control unit. The storage unit 6000 is an example of storageunit. The camera 2400 is an example of image capture device.

What is claimed is:
 1. A text data transmission-reception systemcomprising: a plurality of user terminals; a shared terminal; and aninformation processing apparatus connectable to each of the plurality ofuser terminals and the shared terminal via a network, the informationprocessing apparatus including circuitry configured to receive text datatransmitted and received between the plurality of user terminals;determine whether or not the text data transmitted and received betweenthe plurality of user terminals includes a request for controlling theshared terminal; and control the shared terminal based on adetermination that the text data includes the request for controllingthe shared terminal.
 2. The text data transmission-reception systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the circuitry controls or not control theshared terminal based on a result of determining whether a particularuser who has transmitted the text data from one of the user terminals isparticipating an event related to the text data transmitted and receivedbetween the user terminals, wherein the circuitry controls the sharedterminal if the particular user who has transmitted the text data fromone of the user terminals is participating the event, and wherein thecircuitry does not control the shared terminal if the particular userwho has transmitted the text data from one of the user terminals is notparticipating the event.
 3. The text data transmission-reception systemaccording to claim 2, wherein the circuitry determines whetheridentification information of the particular user who has transmittedthe text data from one of the plurality of user terminals is included inidentification information of persons to participate the event, andwherein the circuitry controls the shared terminal when the circuitrydetermines that the identification information of the particular userwho has transmitted the text data from one of the plurality of userterminals is included in the identification information of persons toparticipate the event, and wherein the circuitry does not control theshared terminal when the circuitry determines that the identificationinformation of the particular user who has transmitted the text datafrom one of the plurality of user terminals is not included in theidentification information of persons to participate the event.
 4. Thetext data transmission-reception system according to claim 2, furthercomprising: one or more memories that store shared data including textdata used in the event.
 5. The text data transmission-reception systemaccording to claim 4, wherein the one or more memories store the shareddata while performing a particular event related to the text datatransmitted and received between the plurality of user terminals orafter ending the particular event related to the text data transmittedand received between the plurality of user terminals.
 6. The text datatransmission-reception system according to claim 5, wherein thecircuitry stores, in the one or more memories, event informationincluding information on one or more users who transmit and receive thetext data between the plurality of user terminals, and information onthe shared terminal.
 7. The text data transmission-reception systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the circuitry controls the shared terminalusing at least one of control modes including a control of acquiring ascreen to be displayed on a display of the shared terminal, a control ofdisplaying a screen of the shared terminal, captured by an image capturedevice, on a display of each of the plurality of user terminals, and acontrol of storing shared data used in the event related to the textdata transmitted and received between the plurality of user terminals.8. A shared terminal connectable to a plurality of user terminals and aninformation processing apparatus via a network, the shared terminalcomprising circuitry configured to: receive text data transmitted andreceived between the plurality of user terminals; determine whether ornot the received text data includes a request for controlling the sharedterminal; and control the shared terminal based on a determination thatthe text data includes the request for controlling the shared terminal.9. A method of processing information performable by a user terminalconnectable to a shared terminal, an information processing apparatus,and another user terminal via a network, the method comprising:receiving an input of text data to be transmitted to the another userterminal; determining whether or not the received text data includes arequest for controlling the shared terminal; and requesting, to theinformation processing apparatus, for controlling the shared terminalbased on a determination that the text data includes the request forcontrolling the shared terminal.